The Vegas Golden Knights are riding a wave of momentum straight into the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Closing the regular season on a blistering 10-game point streak (7-0-1), the Knights haven't lost in regulation since the late-March coaching change that brought the fiery John Tortorella behind the bench. The atmosphere in "Sin City" is electric, with fans hoping this late-season surge is a preview of another deep postseason run.

Fresh off clinching their second consecutive Pacific Division title, Vegas now sets its sights on a formidable first-round opponent: the expansion Utah Mammoth. This matchup is a classic clash of experience versus new energy. The Golden Knights, with a Stanley Cup (2023) and a Finals appearance in their inaugural season already in the trophy case, are postseason veterans. Utah, meanwhile, is writing its own history, securing the first Western Conference wild-card spot in just their second NHL season and making their playoff debut.

The coaching narrative adds another layer of intrigue. Tortorella, a Cup winner with Tampa Bay in 2004, is looking to recapture his playoff magic with his sixth NHL team. His task is to harness Vegas's veteran core and red-hot form. Standing in their way is a Utah squad that proved it can win in Vegas during the regular season, taking two of three meetings and even posting a shutout at T-Mobile Arena in March.

While the Knights enter as the clear favorites on the odds board, this series promises high-stakes hockey. It's a test of Vegas's championship pedigree against the fearless ambition of an expansion team with nothing to lose. The puck drops on what could be one of the most compelling stories of the opening round.